Our country is struggling in a way I can't ever remember. Financial institutions are failing left and right. People are losing their life savings to a falling stock market, falling housing prices and rising food and energy costs. We are hemorrhaging jobs and are ten trillion dollars in debt. A major hurricane just slammed the coast of Texas leaving 4 million people without power and causing damage in the billions of dollars. We are slaves to imported oil, and global warming is threatening to destroy the planet.

The political race is tightening –indicating we are a long way from any sort of consensus on how to solve our problems. More gridlock and partisan rancor lie ahead at a time we can't afford either. And foreign trouble spots abound - like Iran…Afghanistan…Georgia… and North Korea.

Here’s my question to you: How confident are you about the future of our country?

Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan is calling it a "once in a century" financial crisis.

Lehman Brothers– one of the oldest investment banks on wall street– has filed for bankruptcy after it failed to find a buyer. Another financial institution, Merrill Lynch is being bought by Bank of America. And insurance giant AIG– the largest insurer in the country– is desperately trying to raise cash in order to stay in business. The stock market took a huge hit today...Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are already under federal takeover-their stock is worthless...And Wilbur Ross-a billionaire investor-predicts we could see 1,000 bank failures in the months ahead.

"Change" and "reform" are two words we hear a lot of on the campaign trail. When it comes to our financial system, we need both. And it seems clear that things are going to get worse before they start to get better.

Here’s my question to you: Which candidate is better able to handle a "once in a century" financial crisis?

About this Blog:

Jack Cafferty sounds off hourly on the Situation Room on the stories crossing his radar. Now, you can check in with Jack online to see what he's thinking and weigh in with your own comments online and on TV.